Interpreting at the London Olympics

Monterey Institute student Lauren Ames worked as a Spanish Interpreter for the Beach Volleyball competition at the 2012 London Olympics.

August 13, 2012

Unbelievable, amazing, and great are just a few of the adjectives that Lauren Ames (MATI '13), used to describe her experience working as an interpreter at the 2012 London Olympics.

“To interpret at a world-class event like the Olympics is an enormous opportunity and a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” said Ames.

Ames was one of five students representing the Monterey Institute as volunteer interpreters at the 2012 London Summer Olympics.

“It was amazing to feel like I was being relied upon to facilitate communication,” she said.

On her first day of work, Ames ran into former United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan in the Olympic Family Lounge. “I am still in utter disbelief that Kofi Annan and I have exchanged hellos,” said Ames.

As for the interpreting, Lauren had the chance to work with athletes from Argentina, Spain and Venezuela. She was even quoted by Reuters in a news alert about the Beach Volleyball competition.

“I feel great about my interpretations that I rendered,” said Ames. “I am just ecstatic that I have been able to implement the skills that I have put so much time and energy into learning at the Monterey Institute.”